enrichment facility in the Gulf kingdom. Unlike a 2009 US-UAE agreement that prohibited domestic fuel production, this deal may allow Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium on its own soil after a joint study with the US. This has raised alarm among nuclear non-proliferation advocates and Israeli officials. Enriched uranium can be used both as reactor fuel and to build nuclear weapons. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stated in 2018 that while the kingdom does not currently seek nuclear weapons, it would "follow suit as soon as possible" if Iran developed one. The nuclear issue is closely tied to the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, which the two nations attacked in February, citing the goal of preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons - a claim Iran denies. The 30-year deal, approved by President Trump and set to be announced Wednesday, includes a clause: if the US later objects to enrichment in Saudi Arabia, the kingdom would be barred from pursuing it alone or with another foreign partner for a decade. The agreement will go to the US Congress, where bipartisan opposition is expected, though Trump's Republican Party controls both chambers.

According to The New York Times, the deal is not contingent on Saudi Arabia normalizing diplomatic ties with Israel - a longstanding US foreign policy goal pursued across successive administrations. The White House has yet to comment on the reports. (BBC)